For header images, I typically embed an image into the report. However, there may be times when you need to create a report that makes use images from an external location. In this quick and simple post, I am going to show you how to point to an image that is located on the internet.

All you have to do is add a picture to your report design surface. Then set the Source to be “External” and the Value property of the image to the location of them image on the web. For example, in my example below, I used a link to Google’s logo. Figure 1 below shows the items to modify to link to an external image.

Figure 1: Setting up the Image Properties

Since Google changes these images frequently, depending on when I run my report, I may get a different image. However, figure 2 shows you the results as of today.

Figure 2: Results

Now one thing to make note of is that when you deploy a report using external references like this out to a report server, the report server must be configured with an unattended execution account in order for the referenced URL (picture in this case) to work.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post. If you did, please take just a moment to rate it below! Also, if you don’t already, please be sure to follow me on twitter at @briankmcdonald. Also note that you can subscribe to an RSS feed of my blogs or find me at any of the below methods.

Brian K. McDonald, MCDBA, MCSD
Business Intelligence Consultant – Pragmatic Works

Email: bmcdonald@pragmaticworks.com

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